Many UK expatriates will at some point find themselves in a position where they need to buy a property while they are living overseas, either to give themselves a place to live, or to serve as an investment.

If this is the situation you are in, you have a couple of choices when shopping for expatriate mortgages. You can either apply for an expatriate mortgage through a UK lender, or you can apply for an overseas mortgage from a lender in the country where you are living.

You will probably find that getting a mortgage from a UK lender makes it easier to understand the terms and conditions of the loan, as the loan will have to follow UK lending guidelines, which may not be present in the country where you are living.

Expatriate mortgages are usually found with specialist lenders, not traditional lenders. Each one will create a unique structure, so it is important to have a good mortgage broker who understands the market and one who will shop around for the right deal to suit your circumstances. Using a broker can be a massive help, likely saving you valuable time and effort.

Changes in the exchange rate may increase the sterling equivalent of your debt